Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Asian J Urol 2022 Jan 30;9(1):12-17. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

U-merge Ltd. (Urology for Emerging Countries), London, UK.

Atypical small acinar proliferation is a histopathological diagnosis of unspecified importance in prostate needle-biopsy reports, suggestive but not definitive for cancer. The terminology corresponds to some uncertainty in the biopsy report, as the finding might represent an underlying non-cancerous pathology mimicking cancer or an under-sampled prostate cancer site. Therefore, traditional practice favors an immediate repeat biopsy. Read More

Pathogens 2022 Jan 14;11(1). Epub 2022 Jan 14.

Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.

A higher expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) has been associated with several malignancies, including prostate cancer, implying a possible use as a diagnostic or prognostic cancer biomarker. For this reason, we examined the humoral response against different epitopes obtained from the envelope protein of HERV-K (HERV-K env-su, HERV-K env-su), HERV-H (HERV-H env-su, HERV-H env) and HERV-W (HERV-W env-su, HERV-W env-su) in the plasma of patients affected by prostate cancer (PCa), and compared to that of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and a borderline group of patients with atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and healthy controls. A significant antibody response was observed against HERV-K env-su ( = 0. Read More

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 2021 Sep;27(9):798-802

Department of Urology, Zhangzhou Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, China.

Objective: To assess the rates of atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) detected in prostate biopsy in China and the risk of PCa found in subsequent repeat biopsy.

Methods: A total of 2,456 patients underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy with the samples of ASAP and/or HGPIN tissues in our hospital at least twice between July 2014 and June 2019. We analyzed the findings of digital rectal examination, prostate volumes, PSA levels, and the results of prostate biopsies. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 11 30;11(1):23143. Epub 2021 Nov 30.

Department of Urology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) occurs in approximately 5% of prostate biopsies. Approximately 30-40% of patients with ASAP have biopsy detectable prostate cancer (PCa) within 5 years. Current guidelines recommend a repeat biopsy within 3-6 months after the initial diagnosis. Read More

Ir J Med Sci 2021 Nov 19. Epub 2021 Nov 19.

Anatomic Pathology Department, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.

Background: In the era of active surveillance of low- and intermediate-risk prostatic cancer, a reconsideration of the implications of a biopsy report of ASAP and/or HGPIN may be timely.

Aims: We investigated the implications of a diagnosis of atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) on prostate biopsy.

Methods: The rate of re-biopsy and the incidence of carcinoma on repeat biopsy for benign, HGPIN, and ASAP groups were compared. Read More

BJU Int 2022 05 25;129(5):627-633. Epub 2021 Aug 25.

Department of Urology, Vall d´Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.

Objective: To analyse the current predictive value of isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) detection in repeat biopsies.

Patients And Methods: A cohort of 293 men with isolated HGPIN detected in previous biopsies performed without multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and who underwent repeat biopsy within 1 to 3 years, was analysed. Pre-repeat biopsy mpMRI and guided biopsies to suspicious lesions (Prostate Imaging - Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] ≥3) and/or and systematic biopsies were performed. Read More

Actas Urol Esp (Engl Ed) 2021 Jul-Aug;45(6):447-454. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Departamento de Urología y Trasplante Renal, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Repeat prostate biopsy (PBx) is recommended under persistent suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) or in the face of the following findings: atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP); extense (≥3 biopsy sites) high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN); or HGPIN with atypical glands; suspicious for adenocarcinoma (PIN-ATYP). Nowadays; multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and mpMRI targeted PBx (MRI-TBx) are recommended in repeat PBx. Our objective was to analyze the current value of ASAP; mHGPIN; PIN-ATYP and other histological findings to predict clinically significant PCa (csPCa) risk. Read More

Urologia 2021 Aug 12;88(3):194-199. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Department of Urology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart - Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - IRCSS, Rome, Italy.

Background: Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) occurs in approximately 5% of prostate biopsies. Approximately 30%-40% of these patients may develop prostate cancer (PCa) within a 5-year period, often not clinically significant. Current guidelines recommend a repeat biopsy within 3-6 months after the initial diagnosis, but it seem not to be the best strategy. Read More

Scand J Urol 2021 Apr 7;55(2):129-134. Epub 2021 Jan 7.

Division of Urology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

Objective: To evaluate the premalignant potential of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with monofocal HGPIN (mHGPIN), widespread HGPIN (≥4 cores, wHGPIN) and/or ASAP who underwent at least one rebiopsy during their follow-up, were enrolled. All enrollment biopsies underwent central pathologic revision. Read More

Lancet Digit Health 2020 08;2(8):e407-e416

Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Background: There is high demand to develop computer-assisted diagnostic tools to evaluate prostate core needle biopsies (CNBs), but little clinical validation and a lack of clinical deployment of such tools. We report here on a blinded clinical validation study and deployment of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm in a pathology laboratory for routine clinical use to aid prostate diagnosis.

Methods: An AI-based algorithm was developed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides of prostate CNBs digitised with a Philips scanner, which were divided into training (1 357 480 image patches from 549 H&E-stained slides) and internal test (2501 H&E-stained slides) datasets. Read More

Urol Oncol 2021 07 5;39(7):432.e11-432.e19. Epub 2020 Nov 5.

Department of Urology, Vall d´Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Research group in Urology. Vall d´Hebron Research Institute; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Objective: To assess the current ability of atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), multifocal high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mHGPIN), HGPIN with atypia (PINATYP) and other non-malignant lesions to predict clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in repeat prostate biopsies.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 377 repeat prostate biopsies, carried out between 2.014 and 2. Read More

Radiography (Lond) 2021 05 2;27(2):459-463. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Medical Physics Unit, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Campobasso, Italy. Electronic address:

Introduction: The purpose of our work was to evaluate the feasibility of prostate multiparametric MR imaging at 1.5-T without endorectal coil using an 8 channel pelvic phased array coil.

Material And Methods: A total of 154 patients who underwent mp-MRI were retrospectively included. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2020 Dec 14;20(6):195. Epub 2020 Oct 14.

Urology Department, 'Iuliu Hatieganu' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) patterns identified at prostate biopsy yield an important clinical significance, their presence signaling an increased likelihood of future oncological development or underdiagnosed PCa. MRI and MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsy have recently become the standard for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Thus, we aimed to assess the role of ASAP/HGPIN pattern in the context of these recent developments as compared with the standard systematic biopsy. Read More

J Urol 2021 Mar 20;205(3):748-754. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Departments of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.

Purpose: A benign magnetic resonance imaging targeted prostate biopsy in the setting of a PI-RADS™ 4/5 abnormality presents a clinical dilemma for future management. We evaluated benign histological features on magnetic resonance imaging targeted prostate biopsy to determine if they predict the likelihood of missed cancer on subsequent biopsy.

Materials And Methods: Between June 2012 and September 2016, 1,595 men were enrolled in a prospective study of magnetic resonance imaging targeted and systematic biopsy outcomes. Read More

Mol Clin Oncol 2020 Dec 17;13(6):67. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Department of Urology, Hyogo Prefectural Nishinomiya Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo 662-0918, Japan.

Current guidelines recommend a repeat biopsy within 3-6 months after an initial diagnosis of atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) due to the high incidence of cancer detection on repeat biopsy. The current study sought to investigate practice patterns after a diagnosis of ASAP in a real-world setting and examine the clinicopathological outcomes of repeat biopsy. The departmental database of the Hyogo Prefectural Nishinomiya Hospital identified 97 of 1,218 patients with a diagnosis of ASAP on initial biopsy from 2011 to 2016. Read More

Iran J Pathol 2020 21;15(3):232-238. Epub 2020 May 21.

Pathology and Forensic Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

Background & Objective: Some prostatic lesions contain small suspicious foci for prostatic carcinoma in which the morphological features are equivocal. Two immunohistochemical markers namely, cytokeratin 34 beta E12 (Ck34βE12) and α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), were evaluated in these lesions for a definitive diagnosis and avoiding misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of prostatic carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 90 paraffin embedded blocks of prostatic tissue were selected and categorized into three groups as follows: 50 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 20 cases of prostatic carcinoma, and 20 cases of benign prostatic lesions with suspicious foci labeled as ASAP (atypical small acinar proliferation) that occupy not more than 5% of the lesion. Read More

Investig Clin Urol 2019 11 9;60(6):447-453. Epub 2019 Sep 9.

Department of Urology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.

Purpose: We evaluated factors predicting a positive repeat biopsy result in patients with an initial negative prostate biopsy result.

Materials And Methods: This study included 124 patients in whom prostate cancer (PCa) was not detected in the initial transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy and who underwent repeat biopsy from January 2011 to December 2017. Patients without PCa in both initial and repeat prostate biopsies were designated as group 1 (n=82), and those in whom PCa was detected on a repeat prostate biopsy were designated as group 2 (n=42). Read More

Arch Ital Urol Androl 2019 Oct 2;91(3). Epub 2019 Oct 2.

Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Section of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy; Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Ghent University.

A focused, single outcome meta-analysis on the protective role of extracts of green tea catechins against prostate cancer. Randomized, placebo-controlled studies enrolling patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of high-grade Prostate Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Atypical Small Acinar proliferation but no prostate cancer were included. Meta-analysis for binary data was performed using Mantel-Haenszel statistics, using a random-effects model. Read More

Arch Ital Urol Androl 2019 Jul 2;91(2). Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Urology Department, Ospedale Generale Regionale "F. Miulli", Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA).

The aim of the present case-series analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of pollen extract in association with vitamins in order to reduce the chronic prostatic inflammation in patients with class IV chronic prostatitis (CP). Nineteen non-consecutive patients performed a prostate biopsy for a suspect of prostate cancer. The biopsy histopathological examination showed a class IV CP, in presence of mild/moderate/high degree of inflammation, in association with an extensive (multiple biopsy sites, i. Read More

Actas Urol Esp (Engl Ed) 2019 Sep 17;43(7):337-347. Epub 2019 May 17.

Departamento de Urología y Trasplante Renal, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, España.

Introduction: In cases of persistent suspicion of prostate cancer (PC), repeat prostate biopsies (PB) are frequently performed in spite of their low yield. In the context of a negative PB, there is a microscopic scenario (MS), which we define as the group of recognizable non-neoplastic lesions. While some of these lesions seem to have a protective effect, the existence of others increases the risk of PC detection in posterior PB. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Dec 28;9(102):37798-37806. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, GU Oncology MMG, Tampa, FL 33612-9497, USA.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has evolved as a management strategy for men with low grade prostate cancer (PCa). However, these patients report anxiety, doubts about the possible progression of the disease as well as higher decisional conflict regarding selection of active surveillance, and have been reported to ultimately opt for treatment without any major change in tumor characteristics. Currently, there is a paucity of research that systematically examines alternate strategies for this target population. Read More

Minerva Urol Nefrol 2019 Apr 7;71(2):154-160. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Section of Radiological Sciences, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Background: To evaluate if normal and pathological prostate tissue can be distinguished by using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to understand if it is possible to differentiate among pathological prostate tissues using ADC values.

Methods: Our population consisted in 81 patients (mean age 65.4 years) in which 84 suspicious areas were identified. Read More

Prostate 2019 02 7;79(2):195-205. Epub 2018 Oct 7.

Medical Faculty, Medical Biology Department, Uludag University, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey.

Background: Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) is a precursor lesion of prostate cancer (PC), and PC develops from this suspicious focus or an unsampled malignant gland nearby. However, PC-related molecular alterations that could guide the timing of repeat biopsies and help monitor PC risk in ASAP-diagnosed patients have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to first investigate the expression of seven different PC-related RNAs that included serine 2 (TMPRSS2): erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ERG) gene (TMPRSS2-ERG, T2E) fusion, alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), kallikrein related peptidase 3 (KLK3), androgen receptor (AR), prostate cancer specific antigen 3 (PCA3), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and 9. Read More

Arch Pathol Lab Med 2018 08;142(8):938-946

From the Department of Pathology and Urology, University of California Irvine, Orange (Dr Lee); and the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Weil Cornell Medical College, Houston, Texas (Dr Ro).

Context: - The presence of cribriform glands/ducts in the prostate can pose a diagnostic challenge. Cribriform glands/ducts include a spectrum of lesions, from benign to malignant, with vastly different clinical, prognostic, and treatment implications.

Objective: - To highlight the diagnostic features of several entities with a common theme of cribriform architecture. Read More

Hum Pathol 2018 09 24;79:116-121. Epub 2018 May 24.

Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address:

Extended prostate needle core biopsies are standard of care for the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. Subsequent biopsies may be performed for a variety of indications. Knowledge of biopsy characteristics indicating risk for progression may have utility to guide therapeutic management. Read More

Urol Ann 2018 Jan-Mar;10(1):15-19

Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey.

Background: We investigated the correlation between the sampled number of cores in rebiopsy and the cancer detection rate (CDR).

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and twelve patients with normal rectal examination who had undergone rebiopsy in the past 5 years were examined retrospectively. Moreover, 68% of them had undergone 12 cores (Group 1) while 32% had undergone 20 cores (Group 2). Read More

Gene 2018 Mar 22;645:69-75. Epub 2017 Dec 22.

Uludag University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biology Department, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. Electronic address:

Genetic rearrangements involving androgen-regulated transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and genes from the ETS transcription factor family, most commonly ERG and ETV1, result in alteration that responsible for oncogenic activity in prostate cancer (PC). The aims of the present study were to: 1) investigate the frequency of these fusion transcripts in prostate tissue samples obtained from patients diagnosed with atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), 2) determine any clinical significance of T2E expression at the RNA level in predicting PC detection in subsequent biopsies, and 3) evaluate expression of the PC marker, alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), according to T2E status by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). T2E transcripts were detected in 31. Read More

Curr Urol 2017 Nov 22;10(4):199-205. Epub 2017 Oct 22.

Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.

Introduction: Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) are considered precancerous. We aimed to measure the rate of repeat biopsy and adenocarcinoma in patients with ASAP and HGPIN and identify any clinico-pathologic parameters at diagnosis of ASAP/HGPIN that are predictive of adenocarcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of ASAP/HGPIN with no previous or concomitant cancer were identified. Read More

Am J Clin Pathol 2017 Nov;148(6):494-501

Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus.

Objectives: To determine whether pathologists in a tertiary care institution vary in diagnosis and immunohistochemical stain usage in prostate biopsy specimens.

Methods: Men who underwent prostate needle biopsies between 2008 and 2013 were included.

Results: In total, 1,777 prostate biopsy specimens diagnosed by nine pathologists showed variation in diagnostic reporting (atypical small acinar proliferation, 2. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2017 Nov 20;18(11). Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Institute of Life Sciences, "Vasile Goldis" Western University of Arad, Str. Liviu Rebreanu 86, 310045 Arad, Romania.

This is the first study investigating the clinical relevance of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in genomic DNA from white blood cells (WBC) in the context of prostate cancer (PCa) and other prostate pathologies. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we identified significantly different distributions of patients with low and elevated 5hmC content in WBC DNA across controls and patients with prostate cancer (PCa), atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The measured values were within the normal range for most PCa patients, while the latter category was predominant for ASAP. Read More